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Prevention is better than cure.

“Preventing textiles from damage by storing them appropriately is better than spending time repairing them”.

This is the guiding philosophy behind the textile storage project at the Australian National Maritime Museum. Three main storage formats have been implemented to minimise handling. Textiles are mainly hung, rolled or placed in boxes with internal supports to protect the collection.

However, when damage has already occurred, it is necessary to repair textiles to prevent further damage prior to rolling or storing them.

It is important to stabilise areas of fabric loss to prevent damage.

Large flat textiles like banners and flags are interleaved using acid free tissue then rolled carefully onto archival cardboard rolls, covered using Dacron or polyester felt followed by cotton/polyester Interlock or Stockingette. The outside of the roll is covered with a final layer of acid-free tissue.

Roll storage method for large, flat textiles (Eg. banners and flags)

Clothing and uniforms are hung on Dacron padded coat hangers covered using cotton Interlock while swimwear and accessories are stored separately in boxes or grouped together, separated on cardboard shelving within boxes.

Swimwear is stored on archival cardboard shelving within archival boxes.